My next big quilting project is going to be these Sunbonnet Sues:
Our friends came over for dinner and in her arms were these two precious quilts made by her grandmother in the early 1940's! She doesn't want them to live their life in a cedar chest and asked if I'd quilt them for her. Would I? You bet!
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| This one measures 77" by 97". |
I'm parcial to these scrappy girls with no sashing:
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| This one measures 57"x 72". |
As we sat admiring the hand stitching of her grandmother, my friend told me stories of the quilts' past and shared memories of her grandmother with me. I told her I'd be sure to make special quilt labels so each quilt's heritage will be with them forever.
These will be gifts to her granddaughters, so we decided not to go with traditional muslin and add a little pop of color for the backing. Imagine my happy dance when I found this wonderful material on clearance today for $5.00 a yd. while at my Saturday Sampler meeting!
I think just the fact that theses were made 73 years ago and that they are not going to be buried in a chest, makes me look forward to quilting them even more, So now I'm curious,..do you have any vintage quilts handed down through your family? If so, how old are they and what have you done with them?
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Oh Val, these two quilts are super amazing. I look forward to seeing how you quilt them. They are such wonderful treasures and those children will have an heirloom from their great-great grandmother!
ReplyDeleteI have one very old but basic quilt that came from my grandmother's house but sadly, it isn't labeled and I have no information on it's history. It is currently in a linen closet. Thanks for reminding me, I may get it out because it needs some repairs.
how special for you to be able to finish these up for the family.
ReplyDeleteactually I have my great grandmothers quilt that came with it a sad story-she made it for my grandmothers birthday and then passed soon after from the flu epidemic-it has never been used do to the story always folded up and stored in the closet, which I think is sad-now it is really too old to be used-I am passing this down to a family member-a cousin with children so it can get passed down.
I also received a quilt top that was made for me when I was born but sat folded up in the sewing room til I was in my late '40s where it was found with my name pinned to it. I started to hand quilt that one and need to finish it up and find a good home for it. It was all hand embroidery work of nursery rhymes and hand stitched together.
quilts are our heritage-love that about them
oh and I love the fabric you found will go beautifully with the tops-I had been told that my unfinished quilt top was more valuable if I did not finish it, and since it was all hand stitched if I did put it together should be hand quilted not machine quilted--I decided it was better for the quilt to be finished thought it would preserve the hand stitching, and my preference was to hand quilt it but there are no quilt police, better to be able to use the quilts than not--enjoy quilting these.
DeleteThose Sunbonnet Sues are darling. I love that they are heirlooms and are now going to be quilted and finished so that they can now be cherished. I love stories such as this. The backing fabric you have chosen is very pretty and will only enhance these two quilts. Alas, I don't have any quilts that have been passed down to me. I envy those that do as there are so many memories and love encompassing these vintage treasures.
ReplyDeleteHaven't had any in my family, but I did put together some blocks made in the 1930s for a friend and quilt it. It was a mess, stained blocks from being stored next to an unfinished wood interior, water damage from decades past. But I cut them all to a uniform size which got rid of most of the ragged edges and stains, set them together side by side, and quilted them. The recipient was thrilled. I should post about that, but I didn't get good 'before' pics.
ReplyDeleteI love the backings you selected. :) There is a magazine called "Heritage Made Modern" which takes antique tops and quilts them in a modern way. I think finished is better than not. And as long as you and the owner agree on how to finish them that is all that matters. I received some scrappy quilt blocks my great grandmother made, and I finished them into a quilt. But my mom and mother-in-law both have a couple quilts from the 1930's. My MIL keeps it in the closet, but my mom has them on a display rack in her bedroom.
ReplyDeleteIt was a Sun Bonnet Sue quilt that I learned to hand quilt many years ago. My MIL had made one or it was one that her mother made and we decided to finish it. The two you have pictured here are darling. The hand embroidery really makes each one special. How sweet of you to finish them. Your choice of backing fabric is perfect!! They are going to be amazing quilts for your friend's granddaughters.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you will be able to help her out by quilting these. What a treasure. The backings are perfect.
ReplyDeleteMost of the quilts made by my grandparents are still in good shape and used all the time. You do remind me, though, that I have one unquilted top made by my grandfather. I need to pull that out and see what I can do with it.
How perfect this would be for anyone's granddaughter. I love the pretty,vintage look. I acquired my Grandmothers (as you call it - Hexagon-) Popcorn quilt that was started so many years ago and not finished as she has since passed away. I am sooo PLEASED,FLATTERED and EXCITED to have it but I'm overwhelmed and don't know where to start. Grandpa made her the temp lets and Grandma cut the Hex's by hand and what's started is all hand sewen. It sits in my hope chest waiting for it's lucky day. Happy Quilting everyone. Aunt Mary
ReplyDeleteMary, you are a no-reply commenter, but wanted to encourage you to give this wonderful heirloom it's lucky day! Stop in your local quilt store as I'm sure they'd be able to get you started and headed into the right direction to bringing this treasure to completion. (Pllus this type of hand sewing is so much fun and rather addictive...in a relaxing, peaceful way.) Good luck!
DeleteWhat a treasure these quilts are! So wonderful that now they will have chance to loved. Wonderful backing fabrics.
ReplyDeleteI have a couple that were handed down to me. I'm curious how you'll quilt them!
ReplyDeleteWow, how truly special! I just got 6 quilts from my aunt. She doesn't have any history, so I'm kind of sad.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet are these sunbonnet sue quilts? So adorable. While growing up I remember a quilt my grandmother made that she called a "Dutch Girl" quilt. Its a quilt she made and sold. After all these years I found the pattern for her Dutch Girls on ebay. I still have to get it together and make this charming quilt. Precious memories.
ReplyDeleteHow I love those little Sunbonnet Sue! It's a treasure of a quilt that I would quilt by hand or with knots.
ReplyDeleteThese are so sweet! I made up more than one vintage quilt, one of them from vintage blocks made by my grandmother. My tip is to put a "liner" of sorts under the top to stabilize it. I used a piece of high-quality white muslin (extra-wide so it would be seamless) under the top. I think it makes a huge difference to how the top turns out after quilting. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteLovely. I love how this is being passed down through the generations. They are already well loved, but now they can be of practical value, too. It must feel great to be an important part of the process.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful project it is to quilt those gorgeous tops! Lucky you. And the fabric you found will indeed be perfect. I'm really looking forward to seeing how you quilt them. I'm sure you'll have a very agreeable time working on them.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any heirloom quilt as quilting was not a tradition in my family. But I have beautiful crocheted baby blankets, weaved blankets and dishcloths and embroidered pillowcases. I keep them preciously.
I can't wait to see how you quilt them. What a treasure.
ReplyDeleteI love SS - what great pieces! can't wait to see how you finish them!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! I had a quilt with this little girls on it when I was young! I have to ask my mom if she knows where it is! Thanks for the memory!!
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